Pipe cutting and handling apparatus



Aug. 3, 1965 P. K. DAVIS PIPE CUTTING AND HANDLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1963 INVENTOR. PAUL K. DAVIS may w A TTO/PNEVS Aug. 3, 1965 P. K. DAVIS PIPE CUTTING AND HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1965 3 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR. PAUL K DAVIS A T TO/PNE VS 3, 1965 P. K. DAVIS 3,198,043

PIPE CUTTING AND HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 \o, INVENTOR. H8 PAUL K. DAVIS 00 /a/ flaw //a BY %,)77a-LZI4Q10A United States Patent 3,198, 34? PEPE CUTTING AND HANDLING APPARATUS Paul K. Davis, Alameda, Calif, assignor to Pacific Roller Die (10., Inc, Hayward, Caiii., a corporation of California Filed Jan. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 249,196 12 Claims. (Cl. 82-531) This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for cutting and handling pipe, and more specifically to apparatus and method for cutting continuously formed sheet metal pipe into desired lengths and automatically unloading the cut pipe lengths onto an adjacent stock pile.

The cutting and handling method and apparatus of the present invention is adapted to be employed in connection with the type of pipe forming machine wherein a flat strip of sheet metal is formed into helical convolutions and the adjacent edges of the convolutions are joined into a seam to thereby form a continuous sheet metal pipe. The pipe thus formed is discharged from the forming machine along a path of travel extending longitudinally of the pipe. The forming operation is such that the discharging pipe is also rotating about its longitudinal axis.

, In order to stock, ship, and utilize such pipe, for such installations as culverts and the like, it is necessary to cut the continuously formed pipe into suitable lengths for convenient handling. The cutting and handling apparatus of this invention therefore utilizes the movement of the discharging, continuous pipe to effect cutting such pipe into lengths and displacing such lengths from the path of travel of the pipe issuing from the forming machine.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide apparatus and method for cutting elongated sheet metal pipe, which apparatus is coordinated with the movement of the pipe along a path during the cutting operation.

Another object of this invention is the provision of cutting apparatus to be used in connection with the formation of a continuous pipe for cutting such pipe into successive lengths, which apparatus can be readily adjusted to cut different pipe lengths and is fully automatic in operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus and method adapted for coordinated operation with a forming machine which is continuously forming sheet metal pipe, which apparatus receives and supports the pipe, cuts it into desired successive lengths, and ejects such lengths from the path of the continuous pipe onto an adjacent stock pile without requiring any manual handling of the pipe lengths and by which method interference between such pipe lengths is prevented.

A further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for cutting continuously formed sheet metal pipe, which is rotating as it is delivered from the pipeforming mechanism, wherein the rotation of the pipe is utilized to effect cutting of the pipe into desired lengths.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cutting continuously formed sheet metal pipe as the pipe emerges from the pipe-forming mechanism, whereby the pipe cutting apparatus is independently moved along the path of the longitudinal movement of the pipe at the same speed thereas in order to achieve a complete and clean cut-off of the pipe.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for automatically cutting and ejecting continuously formed sheet metal pipe, wherein the apparatus may be adjusted to accommodate pipe of various diameters.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following de Patented Aug. 3, 1965 scription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the cutting and handling apparatus of this invention positioned at the discharge end of the pipe forming mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the cutting portion of the apparatus as seen from line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the cam mechanism portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the operation thereof during movement of the carriage of such apparatus in one direction;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the operation of the cam mechanism during movement of the carriage in the opposite direction;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the handling portion of the apparatus as seen from line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the opposite side of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the ejecting apparatus actuation means of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the cutting and handling apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the handling apparatus as seen from line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the cut-off mechanism as seen from line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

Generally, the present invention provides apparatus and method which is adapted to cooperate with a pipe forming machine of the type which discharges a continuous sheet metal pipe along a generally horizontal path of travel that extends longitudinally of the pipe axis. At the same time such pipe is rotating about its axis.

The apparatus herein described includes a cutting apparatus so related to the forming machine as to cut such continuous pipe into successive lengths of predetermined extent. The rotation of the pipe is preferably employed to facilitate such cutting.

Each length, as cut, is displaced from said path by a subsequent, handling apparatus which is preferably actuated in response to operation of the cutting apparatus. Further, the handling apparatus facilitates stacking the pipe lengths in layers to form a bundle for storing or shipping.

In detail, referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a continu ously formed sheet metal pipe 10 emerging from the pipe forming machine indicated generally at 11. The pipe 10 generally horizontally moves at a predetermined rate in one direction along a path extending longitudinally of the pipe, and rotates about its longitudinal axis as it emerges from the forming machine.

Adjacent the discharge end of the pipe forming machine 11, there is shown the cutting apparatus of the present invention indicated generally at 12. An upright carriage 13, comprising an upper frame portion 14 and a lower base portion 15 (FIG. 2) is adapted to rotatably support the pipe 10 for cutting by means of a pair of spaced rollers 16 mounted on a laterally extending adjustable cross piece 17 in the frame 14. The rollers 16 are free to rotate responsive to the rotation of the pipe 10. The surfaces of the rollers 16 are smooth to allow the pipe 10 to slide in virtually unrestricted longitudinal movement.

The base 15 of the carriage 13 has mounted thereon two pairs of freely rotatable wheels 18 which are adapted to roll on a pair of generally triangular shaped rails 19. The rails 19 extend in parallel relation to each other and are parallel to the path of movement of the pipe. The rails 19 are supported on a pair of flat mounting plates 20 which are in turn secured to the ground in a convenshown) similar manner (not shown). :The chain 23 isoperably engaged ,witha sprocket 25 whichis connected to and driven by a variablespeed', reversibletype motor 26 carriage 13 is enabled to roll pin 40 is in engagement with the upper end of a verticalconnected to a conventional source of electric power (not I The motor 26 is actuated 'and'controlled by a plurality "of microswitches 27, 28 and .29, respectively, connected together and to the motor 26 by a conventional electric-a1 V circuit (not shown). The-microswitch 27 ispositioned on the run-.out table 57 (to be subsequently described) 1 directly inthe path ofthe pipe 10 to be contacted by the forward free end of the pipe 10. The switch 27 is adjustably mounted on the runout table 57 to thereby determine the length of thepipe to becut. When the free end of the, pipe 10 co'ntactsythe microswitch 27, the electric motor 26 is energized to cause the carriage 13 to be moved forwardlyin the direction of. movement of and iat" the same rate asthepipe 10. 4

' The carriage 13 will thus (from left to right as viewed in'FIG. 1) until a resiliently mounteddog on the leading portion of the frame 14 contacts themicroswitch 28, thus reversing the electrical circuit andhence themotor26; This results in reversing the direction of movement of the carriage 13 and it is pulled to the rear .by V the chain 23 until. a resiliently mounted dog-31 on the rear portion of the frame 14 contacts the microswitch 29. to. thereby simultaneouslyre verseandbreak the electrical circuit. 7

It will be'understoodthat the microswitches 28, 2 9 are adapted to be operated bythe dogs .30 and'31 in one directiononly. After the electrical circuit is thus broken, 7

the momentum of the carriage 13 will cause it to coast a short distance beyond the microswitch 29, and the carriage 13 will remain in this initial at rest position until the rnicroswitch 27'is .once again contacted by the forward free end. of the next succeeding length of pipe '10.

Thecutting means utilized with the prese'ntinvention maybe any suitable type of cutting means, asfor example prove in a'forward direction ly extending follower a-rm 41 which is carried by the carriage 13 for slidable movement relative thereto by a pair of brackets 42, 43 mounted on-the frame .14. Mounted in the upper endof the follower arm 41 are a pairof threaded bolts 44 which bear directly against the underside of the free end of the platform 37.

V The lower end of the follower arm 41 terminates in a cam roller 45 adapted to roll freely on a cam track, to be subsequently described. A spacer bar 46 is securely attached to follower arm ,41 (FIG. 3) immediately above roller 45, A .swingable follower arm 47 is pivotally connected to" the bar 46 and terminates at its lower end in a camirolle r 48'. As seen in FIG. 1, the follower arm'47 is normally longitudinally aligned with the follower arm 41 and the cam roller 45 and 48 are normally ax ially aligned. The follower arm 47 is adapted to swing in one direction only, and is prevented from swinging in a forward directionby aflat stop bar 49 (s eel- 16(3).

- The cam rollers 45 and 48 are adapted to traverse an inner :cam track 50 and an outer cam track 51, re'spec- 'tively, which are parallel to each other and extend parallel to v thepath of movernent of 'thepipe 10. The cam track 50 has'a dwell 52pos itioned therein (FIGS 3 and 4) having inclined portions 53 and 54 to allow the cam roller 45 to'graduallyenter'and leave the dwell 52. The

. fiat portion" of the dwell 52 is indicated at 55 in FIGS.

I 3 and 4'jand it is the length ofthis flat portion that determines the amount of t ime that the saw blade 33 'is in cutting relation tofthe peripheral wall of the pipe 10 The'ro'ller 45 may possibly be prevented from traversing the dwell 52if'the'cam 'roller48 remains coaxial with the cam roller 45. I n order to insure that the follower arm 47 is s'wun'g'rearwardly 'intothe position shown in FlG.

3', 'a lip 56'- is integrally; formed in the cam track 51 a short distance before the point where theroller begins to' traverse the 'dwell 52. When the roller 48 hitsthe lip 56 it will b e kicked out of coaxialalignrnent with the cam roller"45' to allow'the c'am' roller 45 to traverse the dwell j52 aridto causethe cam roller 48 to' trail on'the cam track 51. Wl 1'en the cam roller'45 exits from the dwell 52jthe'canrro1ler 48 will become coaxially realignedfwith roller 45 as previously described. When thediretitiouof movement of the carriage 13 is reversed,

any type of saw blade, abrasive wheel, burning tool, -or

some type of fluid or;.air pressure system. The cutting 'nreang indicated generallyat 32, is mounted on the cartriage 13 for rnovement.therewith and is radapted to be movedintoand out of cutting relation .to the pipe and .to remain in such cutting relation asufiicient time to insure a complete and cleancutoif of the pipe. Inthe preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the cutting means comprises a circular saw blade 33, which is adapted for metal cutting operations. The saw blade 33 is voperably "connected to a standard, electricmotor 34 by means-of 7 as 'sh o wniin 'FIG. 4, the cam roller 48 will remaincoaxial withthe cam roller 45 due to the bar 49, thus preventing the cam roller 45 from traversing the dwell 52 on the retu rn'ofj the carriage 13 to its initial at rest position. Thus it will be aipparentthatfor'at leastapo'rtion of its move mentin one direction the cutting means is supported sole lyiby the cani'roller' 45, and i's'supported solely by the cam roller 48 during at least a portion of the return move- I ment of the' carriag 13.

a conventional chain and sprocket and drive shaft. ar-

rangement indicated at 35. The'rnotor 34 is connected to a suitable. source of electric power '(not shown). I A

protective covering 36 is positioned over the saw:blade' 33 in a conventional manner to allow the lower the blade,3; 3- to'project belowthe cover 36. .Thecuttiug means. 32 is mounted on a support platform .37. comprised of-a plurality of parallel channels38 portion of which are securely connectedtogether in'a "conventional.

manner. The platform 37. is carried by the'carriage 13 by means of-a pivot support post 39anda pivot pin 40 extending through the post 39 and the channels'38. The.

combined'weight of the platform 37,'the' 'saw blade 33 and the motor 34 tends to normally'b'ias the platform 37 v downwardly; about "the pivotpin 40,0rii1 acounterclockwise direction relative to FIG. 2.

The free end of the platform 37 remote from the pivot "It wnrb'e understood that 'thedepth' of the dwell 52 along the flat portion 55 determines the distance which the saw blade 33' is lowered to bethereby brought into cutting; engagement with the peripheral. wall of the pipe 10. Since the carriage l3 'and'hence the cutting means 32 are moving at thesame' rateof speed as the pipe 10, the" rotation of 'the' pipe 10 will feed the remaining por tion of the peripheral wall of the pipe 1 0 to the saw blade 33 to thereby "eflect/a clean and complete cutoff of the pipe. 'Gene-rally,'the length of the fiat portion 55 ofthe dwell 52"is' such as to allow the pipe to complete ap proximately'd /s' revolutions tolinsure a complete cut of the pipe.

a The irunfout tableindic'ated generally at 57 in FIG. 1

is provided to support-initially'the free end of the pipe 10 and subsequently the cut pipe length. The run-out table 57 isco mp rised 'of aplur'ality of spaced, aligned support stations. extending along the path of movement of the pipe 10? and comprisedof upright support posts 58 which are groupedin fours (FIG. 1). The support stations are rigidlyconnect'ed together by a plurality of channels 59; (seeFlGIS) and are spaced such a distance apart to enable the pipe to be supported by at least two of the support stations during the cutting thereof. Each of the support stations supports therefrom a transversely extending cross beam 60 on which is mounted a pair of support rollers 61 which are similar to and aligned with the support rollers 16 carried by the carriage 13. The cross beam 60 is connected to the support posts 58 by means of bolts 62 extending through a vertically extending slot 63 in each of the support posts 58. In this manner the height of the cross beam 60 and hence the rollers 61 may be adjusted by positioning the bolts 62 within the slots 63 as desired and tightening the bolts 62 to secure the cross beam 60 in the selected position. It will be apparent that such adjustments are necessary to accommodate different pipe diameters, and that when making such adjustments the rollers 16 on the carriage 13 and the rollers 61 in the run-out table 57 must always be aligned in order to properly support the pipe 10.

In order to remove the cut pipe length from the runout table, there is provided an ejecting apparatus shown in detail in FIG. 6 and indicated generally at 64. The ejecting apparatus 64 is mounted on the cross beam 60 in cooperation with the rollers 61 for moving the cut pipe length transversely of the run-out table to thereby allow the cut pipe length to roll down an inclined ramp and onto an adjacent stock pile. While the following description will be limited to one ejecting apparatus, it will I be obvious that one such ejecting apparatus may be mounted on each support station on the run-out table.

A linearly movable ejecting cradle 65 is positioned adjacent a pair of supporting rollers 61 on the cross beam 60 and is located beneath the level of the rollers to allow the free end of the pipe length to pass freely over the cradle without interfering with the movement of the pipe. The cradle 65 is securely connected to a guide arm 66 mounted in a guide bracket 67 which is secured to the cross beam 60. It will be noted in FIG. 6 that the guide arm 66 is mounted at an angle so that when the cradle 65 is actuated it will cradle the bottom of the pipe 16 and push it upwardly and transversely of the run-out table. The cradle 65 is adapted to be moved a sufiicient distance to roll the pipe length 10 over the left hand roller 61 in FIG. 6 until the center of gravity of the pipe is displaced over the roller to allow the pipe to roll down the ramp.

The cradle 65 is actuated by a toggle lever assembly comprising a lever 68 pivotally connected at one end thereof to the guide arm 66 at a point immediately below the juncture of guide arm 66 and the cradle 65, and is pivotally connected at the other end thereof to a rod 69. The rod 69 is slidably mounted for parallel movement relative to the cross beam 66 by means of a pair of brackets 70 which are secured to the side of the cross beam 60. A lever 71 is operably associated with the rod 69 by means of a bar 72 which is secured to the rod 69 between the brackets 70. The lower end of the bar 72 terminates in a pin 73 which is pivotally mounted in one end of the lever 71. The other end of the lever 71 is pivotally mounted within a bracket 74 by means of a pin 75. Also secured within the bracket 74 is a movable actuating arm 76.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, when the actuating arm 76 is moved from right to left (FIG. 1) or away from the viewer in FIG. 6, the lever 71 is pivoted in a horizontal plane about pin 75 to cause the bar 69 to move from the position shown in full lines in FIG. 6 to the position shown in dot-dash lines, or from right to left. This movement of the bar 69 causes the lever 68 to be pivoted in a clockwise direction thus moving the guide arm .66 upwardly through the bracket 67 and raising the cradle 65 into contact with the lower portion of the pipe length 10. As previously described, this movement of the cradle 65 causes the pipe length 10 to be tipped over the left hand roller 61 (FIG. 6) to assume the position shown in dot-dash lines and indicated at 10a. When the center of gravity of the pipe length 10:: is thus displaced,

6 the pipe length 10a will roll down the inclined ramp 77 onto the adjacent stock pile indicated at 77a in FIG. 5.

The actuating mechanism for the ejecting apparatus 64 is shown in detail in FIG. 7. A support channel 78 is secured between adjacent support posts 58 (FIG. 1) in a conventional manner so as to be positioned transversely of the run-out table 57. A guide member 79 is securely attached to the bottom of the channel 78 for slidably supporting the actuating arm 76. Mounted on the distal end of the actuating arm 76 remote from ejecting apparatus 64 is a pivotal latch hook 80. The hook 80 terminates in a hook bill 81 which slopes downwardly to form a rear- Wardly facing catch member 82. The catch member 82 of the hook 80 is adapted toengage a dog 83 which is mounted on the inside of the upper frame portion 14 by means of bolts 84. A plurality of spaced holes 85 are positioned in the frame member 14 to allow the position of the dog 83 to be adjusted to accommodate different pipe sizes.

The hook 80 has an upright ear 86 securely attached to the rear portion thereof to thereby form an integral right angular member. The hook 80 and car 86 are pivotally connected to a rigid support bar 87 by means of a pivot pin 88. The support bar 87 is securely connected to the end of the actuating arm 76 by means of bolts 89. A rod 90 is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the upper end of the ear 86 and is supported adjacent its other end for free sliding movement in a suitable opening in the support channel 78. A portion of the rod 90 extends beyond the support channel 78 and terminates in a stop member 91 which is securely attached to the terminal end of the rod 90. A helical compression spring 92 is positioned around the end of the rod 90 adjacent the car 86. Thus one end of the spring 92 abuts against the ear 86 and the other end thereof abuts against a right angular bracket 93 which is secured at its lower end to the bar 87 and has its upper end adapted to support the rod 90 for sliding movement relative thereto.

Shortly after the pipe length has been cut and precisely when the carriage 13 reaches the end of its forward movement, the dog 83 mounted on the frame 14 will engage the bill 81 of the hook S0 to thereby cause the hook 80 and car 86 to pivot upwardly about the pivot pin 88 until the catch portion 82 clears the dog 83, at which time the spring 92, which was compressed by the upward movement of the hook 80 and car 86, will cause the hook 80 and ear 86 to be pivoted downwardly and engage the catch portion 82 with the dog 83. It will be understood that the positioning of the hook 80 and the movement of the carriage 13 are coordinated so that the engagement of the hook 80 with the dog 83 occurs at the extremity of the forward movement of the carriage 13. With the catch portion 82 of the hook 80 firmly engaged with the dog 83, the carriage 13 begins its rearward movement, thus pulling the arm 76 with it in the direction of the arr w in FIG. 7, or to the left as viewed in FIG. 1. This movement of the arm 76 actuates the ejecting apparatus, as previously described.

The arm 76 and hence the rod 96 will continue to be pulled by the carriage 13 until the stop member 91 on the end of the bar 90 engages the channel member 78. This causes the hook 81) and ear 86 to be pivoted upwardly to thereby disengage the catch member 82 from the dog 83. As soon as the catch member 82 clears the dog 83, the hook 80 and car 86 will be pivoted downwardly by the spring 92. A tension spring 94 (FIG. 1) is connected at one end thereof to a support post 58 and at the other end thereof to the arm '76. When the hook 80 is released from engagement with the dog 83 the spring 94 will return the arm 76 to its original position shown in FIG. 1.

In operation, the carriage 13 is normally in its initial at rest position shown in FIG. 1. The pipe 10 is being continuously formed in the forming apparatus 11 and rotatably emerges from the forming apparatus along a path defined by its longitudinal axis. The forward free end ofthe pipe comes into engagement with and islsilp ported by the rollers 16 on the ca'rriage13 and continues its movement until it issupported by therollers 61 on the run out table 57. When the free end of the pipe contacts the microswitch 27.the motor 26 is energized to move the carriage 13 along the rails 19 at'the same rate as the pipe 10. The saw blade 33 is maintained out of cutting relation with the pipe 10"until the cam roller 45 enters'the dwell 52 in the cam track 50, at'which time the saw blade cuts into the peripheral wall of the pipe 10.

The rotation of the pipe 10 feeds the rest of the. PCI'lPh'.

eral wall of the pipe to'the saw blade 33 to therebyeifect a clean and complete cutoit'of the pipe. The saw blade 33 is movedout of cutting relation with the pipe when the cam roller '45 reaches the end of the dwell 52.

It will be observed that during the cutting operation the cutting means is supported solely by the cam roller 45, as the cam roller 48 is swung rearwardly by the lip 56 on the cam track51. As the carriage 13 continues its forward movement the dog .30 will engage the microswitch 28 to reverse the circuit and startthe carriage 13 on its rearward movement. When'the carriage 13reaches the end of its forward movement the dog 83 on the upper frame 14 (FIG. 7) 'engagesthehook 80 to pull the arm 76 along with the carriage 13 as it moves toward the rear, 'thu's actuating theejecting apparatus 64 (FIG. 6) which results in tipping the cut pipe length 10 over the roller 61 and-allowing it to roll down theramp 77 onto the adjacent stock pile 77a. The hook 80 isdisengaged from the dog 83 by'means of the stop member 91 contacting the channel member 78, at which time the arm 76 is returned to its initial position shown in FIG. '1 by means of the spring 94.

The carriage 13 continues to move rearwardly until the dog 31 contacts the microswitch 29=to simultaneously break and reverse the circuit and thereby stop the-motor 26. The momentum of the carriage 13' will cause it to coast a short distance beyond the 'micro'switch 29 to its initial at-rest position shown in FIG. 1. The carriage 13 will remain in this initial at-rest position until the microswitch 27 is once again contacted by the forward'free end of the next succeeding length of pipe. a J

The automatic combinedoperation of the cutting apparatus and the ejection apparatus effects a clean and complete cutting of the pipe length and requires practically no manualhandling intransfering the cut pipe lengths onto an. adjacent stock pile. V

A modified form of the pipe cutting and handling apparatus is'illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and'10. I In this form both the carriage of the cutting apparatus and the handling apparatus are reciprocably movable on tracks.

below rather than above the pipe. This expedient facilitates the cutting and handling of pipe of large diameter and is also desirable in operations in which there is :a' large range in the diameters of the pipes being formed.

In FIG. 8 the pipe cutting portion of the apparatus :is indicated generally at 96 and includes a' carriage 97 supported on wheels 98 which roll one pair of spaced, parallel rails 99. Rails 99 extendalong the path of travel of pipe i In FIG. 8 the cuttingapparatus carriage is showninaits forward position at the end of rails 99 adjacent the pipe handling portionof the apparatus at-which' position the Further, the formed pipe is cut into desired lengths from I r s V r I opposite nd ofifraniei is a motor10 6 'which' drives blade 102 by means of belt drive 107 (FIG. 10).

' Frame members 105 are pivotally supported on a central transverse pin 108 extending into brackets 109 on carriage 97.

'An hydrauliccylinder 111, connected between carriage 97 and frame 105 at the saw end functions to raise saw '102 into' cutting engagement with a pipe situated thereover. As saw 102 is raised, motor 106 is lowered. The location of'pivot 108 may be such that the frame 105 tends to tip saw 102 downwardly so that it will return to a lowered position by the force of gravity. Alternatively, cylinder 111 may be a double acting hydraulic cylinder for positively raising and lowering saw 102, or a spring returncan be provided for such cylinder.

The pipe handling portion of the apparat'us of the modified form of this inventioncomprises one or more runout tables or pipe lengthsupport stations112 supported for movement along a pair' of spaced, parallel rails-114 (FIGS. '8, 9) aligned with rails 99.

. movement of tables 112 together, The upper end of each base frame is formed with'a pair of spaced ears 116 (FIG.

9) in which a longitudinally extendingpivot rod 117 'is journalled. A cradle, generallydesignated 120,'is.s'wingably supported on'each base'frame by means of a pair of arms 118 connected 'topivot rod .117. I I 1 Each cradle 120 includes a pair" of transversely extending end members 121, 122,. each made from a pair of channels 123 rigidly connected in the form of a wide V (FIG. 9), with arms 118 depending from their apices. The outer ends of members 1-21,122 are rigidly connected by longitudinally extending side members 124. p I The inwardly opening channels 123 form tracks in each or which the wheels 125 of 1 roller support frames 126 are guided. There are a pair of frames thus carried by each cradle 120 for movement toward and away from each other along channels 123; Each support frame 126 canries a roller 127 which extends longitudinally of runout table 112, Screwthreaded rods 130, each rotatably secured to a side member 124 and, threadedly received in a nut 128 secured to each frame 126', are provided as means for moving rollers 127 from inner positions, illustrated inVFIG. 9, to outer-positions spaced farther apart at the dles 120, may be similarly mounted on saw carriage 97 for supporting the pipeissuing from thepipe forming machine adjacent saw 102. f In their normal pipe receiving and supporting position, the pair; of rollers 127 of each cradle 120 and of pipe support are spaced apart in the same horizontal plane on opposite sides of and extending parallel to the path of the pipe issuing from the pipe'forming apparatus. 'I'he issuin g pipe is thereby "received on rollers 127 with its centerof gravity or longitudinal axis 119 (FIG. 9) jbisecting the space between such rollers and is supported at a plurality of pairs of spaced points onits lower periphery along its issuing path, depending upon thenumber of runout tables or stations When a desired length of pipe is thus received on cradles and support 110 and. has been severed from the cutting operation has been completed In its rear or rest position carriage 97 is, at the other end of rails99 adjacent the pipe forming apparatus 11 (as in FIG. 1). i

Mounted at the rearend of. carriage 97 is the cutting I means orcircular saw blade 102 (FIG. 8). Bla'cle'lOTv is mounted on a-shaft 103 rotatably supported in pillow blocks 104 which are mounted on one end of afram'ef10i5 fabricated of I-beam frame members. Supported on'the continuouspipe being formed, it may be ejected from the runouttablesp112 in order that they will'be clear to re.-

ceive a succeeding length ofpipe. In the modified form of the invention disclosed in FIGS.= 8, 9 the pipe "length may be ejected to either side ofthe path of travel of the continuous pipe issuing along theQrunout -tables.

Means for ejecting the cut pipe length from each of the runouttables is provided bya pairofend-tmerid hydraulic or pneumatic, double-acting cylinders 130,131 (FIG.'9)

which are pivotally connected atone end to' a downwardly depending portion of arm-118 and ,at .the other end to 9. frame 115. As illustrated in FIG. 9, when cylinder 130 is fully retracted and cylinder 131 is fully extended cradle 120 is in a generally horizontal pipe receiving and supporting position. Fully retracting cylinder 131 causes cradle 120 to be tilted to the dot-dash line position 132 in which the longitudinal axis 119 of pipe length 133 is shifted outwardly of the point of contact of one of the rollers 127 and the pipe length. This transverse shifting of the pipe length 133 permits it to roll over the said one roller 127 and downwardly along the lowered side of cradle 120 to a storage area as in the case of the form of the invention of FIGS. 5, 6. When both cylinders 130, 131 are fully extended the cradle 120 tilts in a direction opposite to position 132 and the pipe 133 would be ejected to the other side of tables 112.

It will be understood that the horizontal spacing between rollers 127 (FIG. 9) is adjusted depending upon the diameter of the pipe 133 and the throw of arm 118 by cylinders 130, 131 so that tilting of cradle 129 is effective to dump the pipe length out of its path of travel as received from the forming machine. Cylinders 130, 131 of each runout table 112 are hydraulically interconnected so that they operate under a common control for dumping all'said tables together. As previously explained, any number of runout tables 112 may be connected by bars 134 for rolling along rails 114 together.

A pneumatic or hydraulic double-acting cylinder 135 (FIG. 8) is provided for holding tables 112 in a normal rest position and for moving them back and forth along rails 114 during a portion of the handling cycle. Cylinder 135'can be located in any desirable position and is connected between the floor or stationary support and any one of the tables 112. Cylinder 135 operates to move tables 112, carrying a cut length of pipe, away from saw carriage 97 at a rate faster than the rate of feed of the pipe issuing from the pipe forming machine. Thus the newly cut trailing end of the severed pipe length is spaced from the leading end of the succeeding pipe issuing from the forming machine to prevent interference between such ends when the severed pipe length is ejected.

In operation at the beginning of a cycle, the pipe leaves the forming machine travelling in a path extending along its longitudinal axis and is received on support 110 of the pipe cutoff apparatus 96. At this time the cutolf apparatus is at the end of rails 99 adjacent the forming machine (opposite to that shown in FIG. 8) and the runout tables 112 are in their normal, rest position (substantially as shown in FIG. 8).

When the pipe has ben fed out to the desired length onto tables 112, its leading end trips a microswitch (mounted along the path, such as switch 27, FIG. 1) which initiates movement of carriage 97 at the same speed and in the same direction as the formed pipe is being fed. Thereafter, cylinder 111 is activated as by a control circuit including a microswitch, and extended to raise saw blade 102 into cutting engagement with the pipe. Complete severance of the pipe is caused by rotation of the pipe into blade 102 as in the case of the first form of the invention. When the cut is completed either a time delay mechanism or a microswitch reverses the action of cylinder 111 and retracts the same lowering blade 102 out of engagement with the pipe. The function of cylinder 111 and its control circuit is generally the equivalent of the cam support mechanism of the form of FIG. 1.

As blade 102 is lowered and clears the pipe, carriage 97 is approaching the forward position of FIG. 8 where it trips a microswitch (such as switch 28 in FIG. 1) which reverses the movement of said carriage and returns it to its rest position.

Such a microswitch may also be employed to activate cylinder 135 to move runout tables 112 to the left as seen in FIG. 8. It should be noted that the formed pipe is still being fed at the same rate of speed from the forming machine even though carriage 97 is moving opposite to the movement of said pipe. When cylinder 135 is extended tables 112 carry the cut pipe length away from the forming machine so that a gap is created between the trailing end of the severed pipe length and the leading end of the succeeding pipe issuing from the forming machine. As cylinder 135 nears the end of its stroke either a time delay mechanism or a microswitch may be employed to activate either cylinder or cylinder 131, depending on which side of tables 112 the severed pipe length is to be ejected. Upon ejection of the pipe length from its path of travel cylinder is retracted to return tables 112 to the position of FIG. 8. At the same time the action of either cylinder 130 or 131 is reversed to return cradle 120 to the horizontal pipe receiving position of FIG. 9 ready to receive the succeeding pipe and repeat the cutting and handling cycle.

It should be noted that in place of the double-acting cylinders used herein, spring returns can be provided in each case with the same results. The control mechanisms employed in connection with the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders of the modified form of FIGS. 8-10 will be understood as being conventional in construction and the arrangement thereof is substantially the same as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7.

Although this invention has been described in detail, such as not to be taken as restrictive thereof as modifications that would appear to those skilled in the art will be understood to be Within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Cutting apparatus for use in connection with an elongated sheet metal pipe moving at a predetermined rate in one direction along a path of travel extending longitudinally of said pipe, comprising:

(a) a carriage supported for movement parallel to said path;

(1)) driving means connected to said carriage for so moving the same at said predetermined rate in said one direction;

(c) cutting means carried by said carriage and supported for transverse movement into and out of cutting relation to said pipe in said path; and

(d) means responsive to said movement of said carriage past a first point for so moving said cutting means into said cutting relation for cutting said pipe and past a second point spaced from said first point a fixed distance in said one direction for so moving said cutting means out of said cutting relation.

2. Cutting apparatus for use in connection with an elongated sheet metal pipe moving at a predetermined rate in one direction along a path of travel extending longitudinally of said pipe and rotating about its longitudinal axis, comprising:

(a) a carriage supported for movement parallel to said path;

(b) driving means connected to said carriage for so moving the same at said predetermined rate in said one direction;

(c) cutting means carried by said carriage and supported for transverse movement into and out of cutting relation to the peripheral wall of said pipe in said path; and I (d) means responsive to said movement of said carriage past a first point for so moving said cutting means into said cutting relation for at least one complete rotation of said pipe for cutting said pipe and past a second point spaced from said first point a fixed distance for so moving said cutting means out of said cutting relation.

3. Apparatus for handling continuous sheet metal pipe being discharged outwardly from a forming machine at a predetermined rate in one direction along a path of travel extending longitudinally of said pipe and rotating about its longitudinal axis, comprising:

rename (a) a carriage supported for movement parallel to said (b) electric motor means connected'to said carriage for driving thesame' in said one direction, said motor means being variable'for synchronizing said carriage with said pipe at said'rate; 1 a (c) cutting means carried by said carriage'and supported adjacent said path for transverse movement into and 'out of cutting relation to the peripheral V V t a wall of'said pipe in said path;

' (d) means responsive to said movement of said car-' riage in said one" direction for so moving said cutting means and maintaining said cutting relation for a fixed distance'along said path sufficient for said pipe to complete at least one complete rotation; and" a (e) control means for starting said motor means at an initialposition for driving said carriage in said one direction when a predetermined length of pipe extends outwardly past said cutting means. 4. The, apparatus of claim'3, including: 7 a '(f) a plurality of spaced support means adjacent and rotatable about axes parallel to said pathand en-' gageable by said pipe for supporting the same during cutting.' t

5. The apparatus of claim 4; including:

and engageable with said length of pipe for moving the same out of said path. V I 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: V I (11) said ejecting means is responsive to return of said 7 carriagemeans toward said initial position. 7. Cutting apparatus for cutting into lengths continuous sheet metal pipe being discharged from a forming machine at a predetermined ratelin one direction along a generally horizontal path extending longitudinally of ing said carriage insaid shuttling movement along Q (d) actuating means engageable by the forward iree end of said pipe for actuating said drive means to move said carriage from said rest position in's'aid one direction, and including means for reversing the direction of movement of said carriage;

(e) second support means rotatable about axes parallel to said path and remote from and alignedwith said first support means for supporting said rotating pipe;

(f) cutting means on said carriage supported in nor- :5

mally out of cutting relation to said pipe; and

(g) means for moving said cutting means into cutting relation with the peripheral wall of 'said pipe responsive to the movement of said carriage in said one direction and maintainingsaid cutting relation a fixed distance in said one direction for at least one com- 2 (g) ejecting means movabletransversely "of said path r2 cutting mean foriinitiating' s'aid movem for said ejectingnieans. j '9. Apparatus for handling slieetlmetal "pipecontinuously l discharged from a forming? machine "along a generally horizontal p'ath ofv travelextending longitudinally "of ai ap p r s M j 1 i (a) cutting means supported 1 adjacent 'said path and intermittently operable for cutting jsaidipipe in said j flpath into successive lengths? (b) support means Ediwent' said path for receiving V V and supporting saidlengthsas the same are cut; and .(c) rejecting meansi movable transversely offsaid path a and .successivelyoperable on each said length as it is cut for moving the same out ot said path; .(d) v said cuttingmeansjis movable along said pathfroin I an initialposition lto alforward position at which said cutting is completed andbacl; tosaid initial positi n a w (c) said ejecting means includes meansengageable with said cutting means .at said forward position for operjating said ejecting rneansin response to movement of said cutting means back' toward said initial position.. Y 'l Q .i alflle ppa at rfQrhand she met p p v o i iouslydischarged fromaiforming machine along a gener- .ally horizontalpathof travelextending longitudinally of 'plete revolution of 'said pipe for cutting said pipe;

8. Apparatus for handling sheet metal pipe continu- (a) cutting means supported adjacent'said path and intermittently operable for cutting said pipefin said path into successive lengths;

(b) support means adjacent said path for receiving and a supporting said lengths as the same are cut; and

i (c) ejectingmeans movable transversely of said pathand succes sively operable on each said length as it is cut for moving the same out of said path; I (d) actuating means responsive to operation of said a d. pipe, p g: ,i r

a 1(a) cutting' means supported adjacent saidpath and e -inter'mittently operable for cutting said pipe in said N path into; successive length r #(b) support means vadjacent; said path for receiving and supporting saidlengthslas the same are cut; and (-c),,ejecting .meansmov-able transversely got said path ,and successively operable on each said length Vasit is a i cut. for movingthe samerout of said path;

.(d). saidsupportmeans engages eachofsaid lengths atfa pair of horizontally spaced points :onthe lower periphery thereof on opposite sides of the center of gravity of said length; and. vt (e) ,sa-id ,ejectingvmeans being operable totransversely ishift said length so; that its centerof gravity is horizontally spaced .outwardly of one of said points:

IILApparatus for handling sheet metal pipe continuously discharged from-arforming-machine alonga generally horizontal path of travel extending longitudinally of aidpipe, comprisingzfl A r- (a) cutting means supported adjacent said' path and intermittently operable for'cutting: said pipe in said path into successive" lengths; j i i j(b)'support means adjacent .said path forreceiving and supporting said lengths'as'th'e-same are cut; and a (c) eje'ctingmeansvmovable'transversely'of said path 'andsuccessively operable on eachsaid length as it is cut for movin g the same out'of saidpath; (d) said support means being mounted for movement f -lon'gitu dinallyof s'aidpath; and v I (e) me ans conn ectedtosaid'support means for longiftudinally displacing theT same a said length thereon. away from saidcutting means prior to operationrof said ejecting means. A p a a 12. Cuttingapparatus for cutting into lengths continuously formed sheet metal pipe which is discharged .from the forming machine at a predetermined rate-in one direction along a pathextendinglongitudinally of said pipe and rotating about its longitudinal axis, comprisingz. (a) 1avcarriage supportedjfor; movement parallel to said path;v r (5) :driving means connected to said carriagerfor so moving the same at said predetermined rate in said j one direction, and including means for reversing the a. direction of movement of said carriage; (c) first: support means carried by said carriage for supporting said pipe; a

(d) second support means aligned with said first support means for supporting the cut pipe length;

(e) cutting means carried by said carriage and supported for transverse movement into and out of cutting relation to the peripheral wall of said pipe along said path;

(f) cam track means positioned adjacent said carriage and extending parallel to said path;

(g) cam follower means carried by said carriage in communication with said cutting means and adapted to traverse said cam track means responsive to said movement of said carriage;

(h) said cam follower means and said cam track means cooperating to move said cutting means into cutting relation to said pipe When said carriage moves in said one direction, and to hold said cutting means out of said cutting relation when said carriage moves in the reverse direction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Townsend 82-47 Mudd 8253.1 Blashill 83--110 Schreck 83158 Ludington 82-47 McLaughlin 83-37 Sieg 83-48 Rodder et a1 8553.1 Abbey 2933.15 Abbey 83--112 Stikeleather 8253.1 Smith 83159 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

LEON PEAR, WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Examiners.

Disclaimer 3,198,04i-3.Pau-Z K. Davis, Alameda, Calif. PIPE CUTTING AND HAN- DLING APPARATUS. Patent dated Aug. 3, 1965. Disclaimer filed Aug. 22, 1977, by the assignee, Pacific Roller Die 00., I no. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claim 12 of said patent.

[Ofiicz'al Gazette November 15, 1.977.] 

1. CUTTING APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AN ELONGATED SHEET METAL PIPE MOVING AT A PREDETERMINED RATE IN ONE DIRECTION ALONG A PATH OF TRAVEL EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID PIPE, COMPRISING: (A) A CARRIAGE SUPPORTED FOR MOVEMENT PARALLEL TO SAID PATH; (B) DRIVING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CARRIAGE FOR SO MOVING THE SAME AT SAID PREDETERMINED RATE IN SAID ONE DIRECTION; (C) CUTTING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID CARRIAGE AND SUPPORTED FOR TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF CUTTING RELATION TO SAID PIPE IN SAID PATH; AND (D) MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIAGE PAST A FIRST POINT FOR SO MOVING SAID CUTTING MEANS INTO SAID CUTTING RELATION FOR CUTTING SAID PIPE AND PAST A SECOND POINT SPACED FROM SAID FIRST POINT A FIXED DISTANCE IN SAID ONE DIRECTION FOR SO MOVING SAID CUTTING MEANS OUT OF SAID CUTTING RELATION. 